ASSRA Forum - 32-20 case length

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32-20 case length (Read 587 times)

cellargun Junior Member Offline Posts: 62 Joined: Feb 28^th, 2022	32-20 case length Aug 12^th, 2025 at 4:06pm	Print Post
	While prepping some new Starline 32-20 cases today, I measured a half dozen for length. The case drawings call for a length of 1.315. The Starline cases measure a very consistent 1.274/1.275 making them .030 short. Curiosity got the better of me, so I measured some older Remington and Winchester cases I have. The Remingtons are at least 20 years old and check out at 1.305. The Winchesters, about 5 years old, measured 1.275-1.280. Does anyone know why they are all manufactured out of spec?


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Bent_Ramrod Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1524 Location: Southern Arizona Joined: Feb 8^th, 2006	Re: 32-20 case length Reply #1 - Aug 12^th, 2025 at 5:55pm	Print Post
	I don’t have any new Starline cases, but most of the older Remington and Winchester cases I’ve managed to scrounge are noticeably shorter than the even older REM-UMC, USCCo and WRA cases I’ve managed to find. It’s only annoying when I try to use the old loading tools to crimp the loaded rounds. Otherwise, I just make sure the box is at more or less the same length and set my press dies accordingly.


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Oldbee Full Member Offline Posts: 117 Location: Foot Hills of the Adirondacks Joined: Sep 26^th, 2021	Re: 32-20 case length Reply #2 - Aug 12^th, 2025 at 6:43pm	Print Post
	I have noticed the same problem with the starline brass in the calibers that I have! The 45-70, 40-65, 38-55, but I also have unfired Winchester cases that are short!

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calledflyer Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 3778 Joined: Mar 9^th, 2015	Re: 32-20 case length Reply #3 - Aug 12^th, 2025 at 7:17pm	Print Post
	it isn't just Starline or any single company. I've been noticing a similar disappearance of case length for a long time. I don't pay it the least bit of attention because I never crimp bullets anyhow. Even .41 magnum loaded hot get along well if the neck is tight, and some like with cast bullets I don't want to distort. Maybe in a lever action with a tube magazine I'd need to do it.


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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 17117 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: 32-20 case length Reply #4 - Aug 12^th, 2025 at 7:23pm	Print Post
	Oldbee wrote on Aug 12^th, 2025 at 6:43pm: I have noticed the same problem with the starline brass in the calibers that I have! The 45-70, 40-65, 38-55, but I also have unfired Winchester cases that are short! Not sure about today, but Starline did offer .38-55 in two lengths. The longer original length, and Winchester's later short length.

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craigster Oldtimer Offline Posts: 748 Location: lost coast CA Joined: Feb 20^th, 2011	Re: 32-20 case length Reply #5 - Aug 12^th, 2025 at 8:01pm	Print Post
	marlinguy wrote on Aug 12^th, 2025 at 7:23pm: Oldbee wrote on Aug 12^th, 2025 at 6:43pm: I have noticed the same problem with the starline brass in the calibers that I have! The 45-70, 40-65, 38-55, but I also have unfired Winchester cases that are short! Not sure about today, but Starline did offer .38-55 in two lengths. The longer original length, and Winchester's later short length. They still do. 2.080" and 2.125"


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rifleman Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 310 Joined: Aug 4^th, 2015	Re: 32-20 case length Reply #6 - Aug 12^th, 2025 at 9:07pm	Print Post
	Then the question is are the 38/55s really 2.080 and 2.125”? Have you full length sized the new 32/20 remeasured?


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MartiniBelgian Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1718 Location: Aarschot Joined: Jun 7^th, 2004	Re: 32-20 case length Reply #7 - Aug 15^th, 2025 at 2:59pm	Print Post
	The only 32-20 cases I have more or less to length spec are Remington, and a bit shorter Hornady. Both Winchester and Starline are quite a bit shorter.


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RJ-35-40 Full Member Offline Posts: 182 Joined: Dec 7^th, 2016	Re: 32-20 case length Reply #8 - Aug 17^th, 2025 at 11:42am	Print Post
	Rifleman, Is your question a typo, Do you mean "have you full length sized a 32-40.., or did you really mean to type 32-20...? My New un-fired not-sized W.W. 32-40 measures 2.125" My. Once fired / not resized WW 32-40 measures 2.10" I have 38-55 Brass (new) of both sizes, 2.080 & 2.125 I segregate Brass by rifle. Some have slightly longer or shorter chambers then spec. My process starts with a chamber cast. I don't trim any brass before fire forming then trim to that length if required to fit. I've never seen a case that didn't shrink some in the fire forming process. rifleman wrote on Aug 12^th, 2025 at 9:07pm: Then the question is are the 38/55s really 2.080 and 2.125”? Have you full length sized the new 32/20 remeasured?


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RJ-35-40 Full Member Offline Posts: 182 Joined: Dec 7^th, 2016	Re: 32-20 case length Reply #9 - Aug 17^th, 2025 at 11:45am	Print Post
	Vall, RE: "Not sure about today, but Starline did offer .38-55 in two lengths. The longer original length, and Winchester's later short length. " Starline has both 38-55's in 2.080" and 2.125" RJ-35-40 (Bob) The Longer 2.125 brass fits my 35-40 chamber marlinguy wrote on Aug 12^th, 2025 at 7:23pm: Oldbee wrote on Aug 12^th, 2025 at 6:43pm: I have noticed the same problem with the starline brass in the calibers that I have! The 45-70, 40-65, 38-55, but I also have unfired Winchester cases that are short! Not sure about today, but Starline did offer .38-55 in two lengths. The longer original length, and Winchester's later short length.


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rifleman Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 310 Joined: Aug 4^th, 2015	Re: 32-20 case length Reply #10 - Aug 17^th, 2025 at 11:46am	Print Post
	I was inquiring to the original poster if he had full length sized the 32/20 brass and then measured, which often times makes them grow a bit. Not enough most likely to get them where he expected them to be, and like you say, most certainly to shorten up upon firing.


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cellargun Junior Member Offline Posts: 62 Joined: Feb 28^th, 2022	Re: 32-20 case length Reply #11 - Aug 25^th, 2025 at 4:59pm	Print Post
	rifleman wrote on Aug 17^th, 2025 at 11:46am: I was inquiring to the original poster if he had full length sized the 32/20 brass and then measured, which often times makes them grow a bit. Not enough most likely to get them where he expected them to be, and like you say, most certainly to shorten up upon firing. Sorry for the delay in responding. To answer your question and satisfy my curiosity I sized a few today. The length increased by .001.


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